Polavaram Ordinance as good as dropped?

Home Minister Rajnath Singh took the permission of Lok Sabha to differ tabling of the Bill replacing the Polavaram Ordinance issued on the 29th of May by the present government. Rajnath Singh has revealed that the government has asked for the opinion of the President with regard to Article 3, it’s powers and the present Ordinance. Till the views of President are expressed, the government has decided to defer from going forward on the issue, he said.

Earlier, TRS parliamentary party leader, MP Vinod Kumar has given a notice to the speaker objecting the tabling of the bill under Rule 72. He pointed out that as the Telangana State has been formed under Article 3, which is totally under the purview of the President, without seeking the opinions of the concerned state houses on the issue, any changes to the boundary of a State are illegal. As Article 3 gives sole powers with regard to the issue, unless the President recommends, any changes to the actual Bill cannot be made. He termed that the Lok Sabha is “incompetent to entertain and pass the Bill” and therefore a full discussion on the issue is mandated before the Bill is moved, wrote Vinod Kumar.

The Ordinance was issued on the 29th of May. As the Parliament’s first session happened between 4th June and 11th June, the Ordinance will have to be put forth as a Bill within six weeks of the reassembling of the Parliament – i.e. the 17th of July. It expires after the completion of the six weeks.

Now, as the President will have to express his views on the Bill, the ruling party will be hardpressed for time as it cannot push the President for expressing his views on the issue.